Dentists are important health care practitioners for dogs, cats, and people.
Humans love their pets.
Dogs are considered to be men's and women's best friends and for good reason.
Animals don't complain; they are loyal to a fault and they love us unconditionally.
It doesn't matter how old we are, or how sick, ugly or low IQ'd we are, our critters adore us.
In order to take care of them, we need to make certain that their dental needs are taken care of in much the same way we tend to our own oral hygiene needs.
A dentist for human patients is a well trained oral health care practitioner.
He or she studies for four years at graduate dental college and gathers hands-on experience at the college's teaching clinic.
This doc earns the initials DDS to put behind his or her name.
The DDS stands for doctor of dental surgery.
A pet dental practitioner is actually a veterinarian who focuses part of his or her studies on animals' teeth.
This practitioner goes to grad veterinary college and earns the initials DVM through the certification process.
DVM stands for doctor of veterinary medicine.
Both training programs are rigorous and grueling in order to produce cream-of-the-crop docs.
Typical human dentistry is comprised of preventative maintenance, diagnostics and treatments.
Regular cleaning should be done every six months by a qualified hygienist.
People should brush and floss their teeth twice a day at the bare minimum and avoid an excess of sugary desserts and soda pop.
Common treatments include cavity filling, extractions, root canals, porcelain veneers, orthodontia, endodontics, treatment of gum disease and more.
Typical procedures for animals aren't that much different.
Teeth cleaning, scaling, x-rays, restorations, crowns, gum disease treatments, pulp maladies and decay remedied.
Even orthodontia is done with pets in order to straighten misalignment.
Dental implant replacements can be performed with animals.
Fluoride and sealants as well as brushing can prevent problems from occurring.
In humans, when their oral health needs are left unattended, infections and deep decay can occur.
This can adversely affect whole body health in a multitude of other ways, as well.
Complications related to diabetes, premature birth, clogged arteries, heart disease and osteoporoses complications can occur with untreated oral disease and decay.
Pets are helpful to their owners for a variety of reasons.
For a person who lives alone, Rover or Fluffy can become the solo dweller's number-one companion.
This provides company and cheerful interaction.
Having to walk a dog every day gives people daily exercise that they might not get otherwise.
Watchdogs offer protection from intruders and keep family members safe.
Blind individuals are able to get out of the house with seeing-eye canines.
Shut-ins and the elderly are helped to remain active and vital due to the companionship of their pets.
People love their kitties and pups.
It's best for all concerned to take good care of health.
Part of this good care includes seeing dentists for maintenance, diagnostics and treatment.
This is true for members of the human race and members of the animal kingdom.